Undergraduate Research Assistant

Position Summary

The Department of Neurology at the University of Iowa is seeking a highly motivated Undergraduate Student Research Assistant to join the Center for Neurodegeneration in the laboratory of Qiang (Johnson) Zhang, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology. The position includes direct supervision by Dr. Benu George and extensive collaboration with the laboratories of Dr. Nandakumar Narayanan, MD, PhD, and Dr. Michael Welsh, MD.

Dr. Zhang is a neurologist and neuroscientist specializing in movement disorders, including Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Trained with Nobel Laureate Dr. Stanley Prusiner, his research focuses on understanding cholinergic circuit mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as exploring glucose metabolism and glycolysis-based therapeutic approaches.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform animal behavioral studies, including:
  • Stereotactic surgeries
  • Optogenetics
  • Fiber photometry
  • Neuronal ensemble recording
  • Immunohistochemistry
• Maintain laboratory protocols and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Participate actively in weekly laboratory meetings
• Conduct literature reviews to support ongoing research
• Maintain accuracy, validity, and integrity of research data
• Prepare high-quality graphs and figures for presentations and publications

As skills develop, the Research Assistant will take on increasing responsibility in data analysis, including statistical and computational methods.

Education Requirements

• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student at the University of Iowa (health science or related field preferred)

Experience Requirements

• Strong basic computer skills (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Regular and reliable attendance
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience with data entry and database management

Desired Qualifications

• Coursework or familiarity with neuroscience
• Knowledge of basic experimental design in animal models and psychology/neuroscience
• Prior research assistant experience in a psychology or neuroscience lab
• Familiarity with basic lab techniques (e.g., pipetting)
• Experience with MatLab and/or R coding
• Experience with statistical analysis and statistical computing
• Exposure to or interest in Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

Time Commitment

• Up to 20 hours/week during academic semesters
• Up to 40 hours/week during academic breaks (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
• Schedule is flexible and determined with the supervisor

Compensation

• Pay based on relevant experience
• Typically ranges from $11.00–$12.50 per hour